politesse

See also: Politesse

English

Etymology

From French politesse, from Italian politezza, from polito, past participle of pulire (“to clean”), from Latin polire, present active infinite form of poliō (“I polish”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pɒlɪˈtɛs/
• (US) IPA^(key): /pɑləˈtɛs/

Noun

politesse (countable and uncountable, plural politesses)

1. Civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry; or an instance of this.
   • 1968, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger (lyrics and music), “Sympathy for the Devil”, in Beggars Banquet, performed by Rolling Stones:

     So if you meet me, have some courtesy / Have some sympathy, and some taste / Use all your well-learned politesse / Or I'll lay your soul to waste

   • 1978, Iris Murdoch, The Sea, The Sea, Vintage, published 1999, pages 56-57:

     The reference in his letter to ‘having a drink’ is of course just an empty politesse.

   • 2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin, published 2012, page 7:

     The soft politesse concealed a sharp observer, a gleaner of information, cool under pressure and used to having to think several steps ahead […]

Translations

civility, courtesy

• French: savoir-vivre (fr) m

• Swedish: artighet (sv) c

---

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian politezza.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pɔ.li.tɛs/
• Rhymes: -ɛs

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

politesse f (plural politesses)

1. politeness, courtesy

   Antonym: impolitesse

2. polite remark/action

Related terms

• poli

Descendants

• → English: politesse

Further reading

• “politesse” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).